Don’t Let Herpes Do the Wagging: How to Determine and Treat Tongue Sores

Tongue sores are very common. Millions of people tend to develop them many times all throughout their lives. However, not a lot are aware how they come about and, most of all, how to treat or even get rid of them.

Tongue Sores Definition and Tongue Sores Causes

Defined loosely, “sores” are open skin lesions or infections. In the case of the sores in the tongue, there are two main reasons for this: herpes and canker sores.

Canker sores are caused by many different things, from the food that you eat to your level of emotional stress. They may also develop as a complication of an existing disease or infection such as AIDS or HIV. Canker sores are defined by the presence of usually inflamed or red open lesions. They can also have white spots on them.

Canker sores are not contagious. However, they can be very bothersome, since they can produce pain every time you’re going to use the tongue when tasting or eating. They become even more painful when you eat something hot, though they tend to be more manageable when you take in something quite cold.

These types of sores can come back as long as you don’t recognize the triggers and put a stop to them.

Tongue sores may also happen if you’re inflicted with the herpes virus. The herpes virus can come in two types: type 1 and type 2. The latter is more associated with herpes in the genital area. Tongue herpes is more than 80 percent caused by type 1.

You can acquire the herpes virus through direct contact, including sexual intercourse. That’s why tongue herpes is also considered to fall under sexually transmitted disease. Nevertheless, even very young children can develop tongue sores when they deliberately or accidentally touch any item that is infested by the virus or if they happen to get in contact with the open sores.

Sore Symptoms

If you have the herpes virus, you may or may not develop the sores. It all depends on the strength of your immune system, which can suppress the multiplication and activity of the herpes virus.

However, if the herpes virus manifests itself, it normally gives you the itchy or tingling sensation in your tongue. You will also notice the growth of “pimples” or bumps, which can erupt to become open sores or infection. They normally don’t give any discharge, unlike the lesions found on the genitals, lips, and surrounding areas of the mouth.

However, the sores on tongue can still be very painful and can become many it will be quite difficult for you to gain function of the mouth. The sores can also extend to other parts near the tongue such as the roof of the mouth and the throat.

How to Get Rid of Tongue Sores

The fever blisters on tongue (called as such since you can also develop fevers) are, unfortunately, incurable. This means you cannot get rid of the virus out of your system. However, there are several treatment or remedy options to remedy the problem once it occurs.

There are anti-viral medications you can take. They can help give you more control on the development of the sores, allowing them to heal faster. You can also take suppression drugs if you have the tendency to experience the sores frequently.